An interview with Giannis Douvantzis, System Engineer at 2getthere.

For Giannis Douvantzis, working at 2getthere is about more than engineering systems. It’s about collaboration and seeing something you designed come to life. And that is quite literally.

Giannis has been working as a System Engineer at 2getthere for almost four years, where he is part of the system engineering team responsible for designing how autonomous vehicles move through real environments.

Curiosity brought him here

Originally from Greece, Giannis moved to the Netherlands partly driven by curiosity and partly by ambition.

“I wanted to test myself abroad,” he explains. “My brother was already living in the Netherlands, and I was very interested in autonomous public transportation. When I learned about what 2getthere was doing, I got excited. I really wanted to contribute to their goal, which is now our goal.”

He joined the company in early 2022, during a time when the office was still quieter than usual. That changed, much to Giannis’ appreciation: “Now we have a vibrant office that’s all about collaboration. We enjoy the famous Dutch Friday afternoon drinks,” he laughs.

Designing the paths vehicles drive on

As a System Engineer, Giannis works on a variety of projects, each with its own challenges.

“I design the route layouts and the paths our vehicles will drive on,” he explains. “We work on different projects, and no day is ever the same.”

What stands out to Giannis is how fast time passes. “We’ve been working on a new project recently and sometimes the days fly by. You get so absorbed in what you’re doing.”

Despite the focus required, helping colleagues is always part of the day.

“We always make time to support each other,” Giannis says. “And that’s essential, because nobody knows everything while we still are designing the future. Which is totally OK, because learning every day is part of the job here.”

Learning by doing, learning from each other

Working at 2getthere means being surrounded by experienced colleagues with different backgrounds. “You need to be eager to learn,” says Giannis. “There are very skilled and experienced people here. You learn a lot just by working alongside them.”

At the same time, knowledge flows both ways. “I’m getting to the point where, in some areas, I can also share my own expertise,” he says. “That exchange is very motivating.”

For Giannis, the company’s approach to learning fits him perfectly. “What works best for me is learning by doing. And here, you truly get the space to explore skills you might not even know you have yet.”

A welcoming, multicultural environment

One of the things Giannis appreciates most about working at 2getthere is the team itself.

“We work with people over 10 different nationalities and cultures,” he says. “That’s not just nice on a social level, it also means that different perspectives and ways of thinking come together.”

The atmosphere is open and informal, and the balance between professionalism and warmth defines the culture. Giannis feels very comfortable: “There’s no heavy hierarchy. Everyone is approachable and welcoming. We know when it’s time to work hard, and we know when it’s okay to have fun,” Giannis explains. “Even when things get busy, we still take time to grab a coffee, have a chat, or share a laugh.”

Seeing the product in motion

Giannis feels a strong sense of pride when he sees the vehicles operating in the real world.

“Showing the product to friends and family really makes me happy,” he says. “We might all be a bit crazy about our jobs, but seeing something you worked on actually moving, transporting people…that feeling is very special.”

To Giannis, it’s a reminder that the work isn’t theoretical. “This is real,” Giannis adds. “It’s being used, and it’s making a difference.”

Why join 2getthere?

For future colleagues considering 2getthere, Giannis is clear about what makes the company stand out: “There’s a lot of freedom here,” he says. “But with that freedom comes responsibility. You’re trusted to take ownership, to grow, and to challenge yourself.” 2getthere is not a place where you’re boxed into a narrow role.

“You are able to develop yourself and explore new knowledge,” Giannis continues. “If you’re curious, open-minded and motivated, you’ll find plenty of opportunities here.”

And above all, it’s a place where people enjoy building something together, says Giannis: “We work hard, learn constantly, and have fun along the way. That combination really makes 2getthere a special place to work.”